Over 9,000 Arrested in 11 Days as Protests, Clashes, and Vandalism Grip the Nation
In the past 11 days, law enforcement agencies have arrested more than 9,000 individuals from various parts of the country, including the capital city. This surge in arrests follows widespread protests, clashes, vandalism, and arson centered around the quota reform movement.
According to data collected by Bangladeshi media outlet Prothom Alo from police sources in 56 metropolitan areas and districts, the number of arrests reached 9,121 as of Saturday. The count was over 6,500 until Friday. The protests began on 1 July and intensified after violent clashes erupted on the Dhaka University campus on 15 July. Subsequent days saw numerous incidents of attacks, clashes, vandalism, arson, and even deaths. These events have led to numerous lawsuits being filed across the country, with more cases continuing to emerge.
A significant number of those arrested are leaders and activists from the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and their affiliated organizations, as well as top leaders of various parties allied with the BNP. Some have been detained in connection with old cases, while others face new charges.
In a statement on Saturday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir reported that at least 35 central leaders of his party, along with numerous other leaders and activists, have been arrested so far. He accused the government of targeting students involved in the quota reform protests and now turning their focus to opposition parties. Alamgir claimed that law enforcement agencies are using fabricated cases to detain and harm opposition leaders.
He further alleged that law enforcement officers are inflicting severe injuries on leaders and activists even before presenting them in court. Once in custody, these individuals are reportedly subjected to additional torture during judicial remand.
The most severe incidents of clashes and arson have taken place in Dhaka and its surrounding areas. During these clashes, the entire capital, including regions like Uttara, Jatrabari, Mohakhali, Badda, Rampura, Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, Mirpur, and Azimpur, turned into battle zones.
